LilSugar

Forgive Husband For Missing Child's Birth Because of Work?

LilSugar — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 09:00:00 -0800

In a recent episode of Brothers and Sisters, Kitty and Robert's baby was born. While Kitty dashed to the hospital to be by the birth mother's side, Robert got held up at work and later had a medical emergency that kept him from witnessing the arrival of their son, Evan. Would you forgive your partner for missing such a monumental milestone because of work?

Photos courtesy of ABC

Appropriate to Sell Kid's Girl Scout Cookies at Work?

LilSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:00:37 -0800

School aged kids always have something to sell from Girl Scout cookies to World's Finest chocolate bars and wrapping paper to magazine subscriptions. While fundraisers often offset education or activity costs, is it appropriate for parents to peddle their child's wares to co-workers at the office?

How Does Your Work Influence Your Choices?

babysugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:00:31 -0800

A woman's got to do what a woman's got to do. Whether she's stripping to pay for her daughter's education or arguing court cases in front of the Supreme Court, moms often find a way to make ends meet to take care of their cubs at home. Some mommies are more proud of their professions while others try to hide the truth from their children. As one of Hollywood's biggest stars, Angelina Jolie's job makes it quite difficult for her to keep her job a secret.

Not ashamed of her roles, the mother of six sat down with UK Harper's Bazaar and chatted about the movie roles she chooses to play.

I tell stories that are about the type of woman I'd want to meet. The type of woman where I think, even if it's silly characters I've played, like in Tomb Raider, there's something about her that will be fun for my daughters to see one day.

When you clock in every day, do you consider how your job affects your offspring and their opinion of you?

What's Your Ideal Work Schedule?

LilSugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:00:02 -0800

Last night's episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8 touched on Jon's new job and flexible work schedule which allows the father of eight, to spend more time at home with his wife and kids.

Balancing work and family is a dilemma moms and dads continually face. And, unfortunately many working parents have to make sacrifices in order to keep up with the cost of living.

In a dream world, what would you choose?

Source

Are Working Moms Making Women Less Attractive Hires?

babysugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:00:20 -0800

There's hardly a more exciting time in someone's life than when they discover they are willfully pregnant. Most mamas-to-be want to scream it from the mountain tops but there's usually one ear they'd like to shield - their boss's. Many women try to hide their expectant status until it is blatantly obvious to co-workers and their higher-ups because they don't know how their news will be received. Before she can give a due date, employers' minds are ticking: Who can replace her? Will she come back? Do we even need her? While those are all valid questions, it is often up to the childbearing woman to make those decisions, which is why some are wondering if motherhood is making women more unemployable.

The Vogue UK Editor Alexandra Shulman has sparked a debate that will leave many moms angry and others nodding their heads in agreement. Worried about Britain's maternity leave laws, she believes new mothers may be doing themselves a disservice if they take a year-long leave and then expect to return to the same benefits as before but with lower professional expectations. British designer Anya Hindmarch supports her view. She quips:

If we are not careful (and I speak as a mother and an employer), maternity leave and benefits will become too biased towards the mother and not considerate enough for the employer... In which case, it can start to work against women as it becomes too complicated and expensive to employ them. To me, it shouts of shooting ourselves in the foot.

Do you believe that longer maternity leave and flexible work schedules are working against women in the workplace?

Did You Take Advantage of Full Maternity Leave?

babysugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0800

Before an expectant working mama checks out to welcome another baby to the world, she usually has a good idea of how much time it will be before she settles back into her desk. In some countries, mothers take the entire first year of their babe's life to stay at home and get to know them. In the States, it's a bit different. While some women have the luxury of taking months off to recuperate from their life welcoming event, others have to jump right back into the game leaving little time for bonding and resting up. While finances, benefits, and childcare are usually the decision makers, many mums are eager to get back to the job for the adult companionship it provides.

So tell mommy, did you take full advantage of your maternity leave?

What Benefits Make Work Life Balance a Reality?

LilSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:00:45 -0700

Working parents know that there are choices and sacrifices that must be made when juggling their home and office commitments. Our own Commander-in-Chief recently lamented the events and milestones he missed while on the campaign trail or attending meetings, but whether or not those choices define success in the business world is still up for debate.

As the number of dual-income families continues to rise, many employers are trying to help mom and dad maintain some sort of work-life balance with programs and tools designed to reduce their levels of stress. The White House has given aides with tots priority in receiving laptops and has offered for aides' children to use the newly installed swing set and swimming pool in hopes that parents will see their offspring more. Many private companies offer flex hours to allow parents to work from home or finish up work once the kids have been tucked into bed. What benefits would be most helpful to you as a working parent?

Keeping Children of Working Moms Fit and Healthy

babysugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:00:05 -0700

Pack your bags working moms, we're going on a guilt trip. As if there's not enough blame to push on the working mother, a new report came out giving those of us in the work force another reason to feel self-conscience for bringing home some bacon. A British study found that children of working mums spent more time watching television and had poorer eating habits than their peers with stay-at-home moms. While that may be the case, there are ways to skirt that issue. For instance, when I found out my nanny was taking my daughter to the bakery every day for a cookie, I thanked her for the kind gesture and then kindly asked her to refrain from the tasty pastry stop unless it was for a special occasion. Where there's a will, there's a way, which means parents may have to put forth the extra effort to set up guidelines for the caretaker but it is by no means a given that a working mommy's child should be less fit and healthy than its counterparts.

Do you have certain restrictions outlined for your nanny?

Delilicious: Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs

LilSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:37 -0800

Lisa Barnes, author of Petit Appetit: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry, shares with LilSugar a classic sugar cookie recipe that works for all seasons - though it's especially great for a holiday party, cookie swap or playdate activity. Kids can help dump the measured ingredients into the mixing bowl and turn on and off the electric mixer to help make the dough. Of course the fun really begins with the cookie cutting and icing decorating.

To see how to make this tasty and classic holiday treat with your tots, just read more.

Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs
From Petit Appetit: Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Ingredients

2/3 cup organic unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 large cage-free organic egg
1 tablespoon organic milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

Directions
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, and salt and beat until combined. Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla until combined. Beat in the flour, ¼ cup at a time, until all is incorporated.

Cover and chill dough for at least 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

On a lightly floured surface, and using a floured rolling pin, roll dough out to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, until edges are firm and bottoms are very lightly browned. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Once completely cool these can be frosted with your child’s favorite royal or powdered sugar icing. For easy, frosting set out small spreaders and squeeze bottles so frosting ends up on the cookies and not your child, floor, and table. Add sprinkles to wet frosting for even more fun (and mess).

*Makes about 35 (2½-inch) cookies

Print recipe with images | without images

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The Pleasures of Placenta Keep Expanding

babysugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:32 -0800

Often called the "tree of life," placentas are known to have special healing powers for postpartum moms and some even believe they have a way with spirits. Taye Diggs's wife Irina had hers turned into pills while Camila Alves and Matthew McConaughey had plans to plant theirs under a tree. Some, like myself, told the doctors to take it to a place never to be seen again. Perhaps I should have saved mine and sold it as they seem to be a hot commodity among the elite these days. Hollywood's hotshots are partaking in placenta beauty treatments and famous athletes are turning to the often trashed organ for healing powers. Soccer star Robin Van Persie is hoping that a horse's placenta will work magic on his ankle ligament injury. Physiotherapist Mariana Kovacevic is known for her mystical techniques, one which will have her massaging liquid from a horse's placenta into the player's affected area.

It seems the placenta is the wonder organ that keeps on giving. Would you partake in any of these special treatments?